Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service (Veritas Books)

Don't let the cover fool you. It's not about Mother Theresa. Instead it's the story of a Professor of Education at Claremont Graduate School and her turn from a life of New Age, marijuana, affairs and abortions to a life of service and her own "Calcutta", that of reintroducing the university world to Christ. She uses a 6 week sabbatical working with Mother Theresa's Missionaries of Charity to frame her story. This book came at a good time in my life. I had become more and more agitated with too many conversations with too many people in my church life and had picked up a critical spirit, then I read her words: "Criticism is nothing less than dressed up pride". I had also taken on too many things and they all crashed on me at once, then I read: We ought not be weary of doing little things for the Love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but by the love with which it is performed".Even the appendix is interesting as as the author discusses the complete secularization of our university system, much to our country's great loss.This book was given to me by my daughter who said it was one of the best books she had read in several years. It caught me at a good time, as they say, and I found it so helpful to me that I purchased a copy for myself and gave it to another person.I'm not sure how a person newly introduced to the Christian Faith would grasp this book but for those in the race but getting weary, this is a great read. I know it greatly revitalized my faith this spring.

I very much enjoyed this book. Hate to admit it, but i didn't know a whole lot about her. Got this book because it looked interesting, and was from a professor. Seemed an odd match - a university professor going to intern at Mother T's place? That hooked me. I am so glad it did.A great read. Powerful. God bless her and the author.

Mary Poplin, the author has done an exceptional job of presenting the material in this book.After trotting the well worn road of counter culture she has come full circle to embrace Christianity.She had the privilege of spending 2 months as a volunteer in Calcutta working with The Missionaries of Charity.There is no lack of information about Mother Teresa, however, through the eyes of a new Christian, Poplinfinds a depth and spirituality I have not previously read. The inside look at Mother Teresa's world is fascinating.But this book is much more. Poplin, a professor, came to the shocking realization that her courses remained secular.We share many of the author's truths as her faith grows. Two chapters were outstanding, Mother Teresa's Dark Night of the Spirit and the Humor of Mother Teresa. It is impossible to read this book and not be inspired by thenun's dedication and work ethic.

I was challenged by an agnostic relative of mine about Mother Teresa's faith, at a time when I did not know much about her. In my extensive reading about her I was recommended this book by my dear friend, Dr. Scott Key, who knows Mary Poplin . After reading it I gave a copy of it to my relative, for him to see that not all well educated people think that believing in God is meaningless. If anything, this book shows how the God of the universe gives meaning to our lives and instills in us a very real hope for the future. This book is not about Mother Teresa as much as it is the story of Dr. Mary Poplins' life before and after coming to faith.Please read this book, if for no other reason than curiosity you will definitely not be disappointed.your brother in Christ,Albert R.

Finding Calcutta gave me the sense of joy that author Mary Poplin experienced as she lived and worked with Mother Teresa...and, in the process, found her own spiritual footings. Dr. Poplin "put me there" in Calcutta, a place that seemed horribly depressing until my reading of how this highly qualified scholar's service to others lifted her spirits and set right her heart.My favorite passage is this section of her personal journey: "Now I can see how the radical feminist literature with which I was once enthralled is so contradictory. How can such intellectuals profess that women are more caring than men, yet simultaneously advocate vociferously for abortion?" Dr. Poplin goes on to express her new attitudes with amazing transparency about her previous life choices.Simply put: This book is powerful and changed my life.

Great book. Informative and inspiring. Mother Theresa was a true Saint living in modern times. Particularly interesting is the author's discussions of her personal metamorphosis from sceptical atheist academic to committed believer.The great Christian author, C.S. Lewis once noted that there is significant overlap among the world's religions (and I would add modern secularism) on ethics - i.e., how we are supposed to live in this world. The sharp difference among religions is in another area - soteriology, or how to connect to God and get the spiritual power to live the prescribed life. I can think of no greater example than Mother Theresa of the spiritual power to live an extraordinary life of service, love and healing that is available through faith in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

I loved this book. It gave me such respect for not just Mother Teresa, but also the other nuns that walk besider her, serving the poorest of the poor with such faithfulness, humility, compassion, and good cheer. They are all indeed going Kingdom work. The other blessing that came from this book is the perspective it gave me on my own difficult circumstances. I don't need to fly around the world to be the hands, mind and heart of Jesus. I realize that I have been given my own Calcutta, right here in my home with my family. I pray that I can be as faithful, humble, compassionate and cheerful as my sisters in the Lord.

Not only is this book a good read but it has challenged my prayer life and my attitude towards serving. Everything is done with great love for it is Jesus Christ they are ministering too.

Makes you Want to pray more in life.

A wonderful inspirational book.